Latasha Menon the enterprising founder of the boutique label Latasha’s Kitchen is a finalist in the 2014 St. George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards.

The Western Australian-based businesswoman was selected as one of 10 finalists from more than 300 submissions across Australia in the main judged award category.

Presented by the AusMumpreneur Network, the AusMumpreneur Awards recognise the best and brightest in the Australian Mumpreneur industry, acknowledging success in business, product development and innovation, and customer service in both online and bricks and mortar businesses.

Ms Menon who juggles family life, motherhood and a successful business said she was overwhelmed to have been selected from such a competitive field of dynamic women.

St George Banking Group’s SME head Chris Screen said the awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business.

Ms Menon started her food business Latasha's Kitchen at 745 Newcastle Street Leederville in July 2003. What originally began as a cafe studio specialising in home-style regional Indian dishes, eventually and with much encouragement from locals, morphed into an iconic business teaching regional Indian and South-east Asian cooking classes, with a focus on high quality handmade curry pastes, spice blends and condiments.

The business has expanded and Latasha’s Kitchen’s delicious bottled products are now stocked at leading WA specialist grocers and farmers markets, as well as being available online so that everyone can enjoy Latasha’s at their home kitchen.

"Sharing the art of cooking delicious food with fresh herbs and spices is the inspiration behind Latasha's Kitchen. You're invited to try my huge range of authentic curry pastes, sauces, marinades and condiments and dish up a wondrous choice of authentic dishes," she said.

Ms Menon was the celebrity chef at the recent Dowerin Machinery Fields days and is a regular at the Good Food and Wine Show.

“I already feel like a winner. I know I wouldn't have made it this far without the support of our retailers and those word-of-mouth ambassadors of spice loving fans,” she said.

The winners of the 2014 St George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards on Saturday, 11 October in Melbourne during the AusMumpreneur Conference.

On Sunday, January 19, the Mount Barker Co-operative Mt Barker Grapes & Gallops will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Great Southern's richest horse race – the $90,000 Mungrup Sprint.

Firmly established as one of the region’s most popular family events, more than 2000 people are expected to enjoy an afternoon of wine, fashion and racing at Frost Park in Mt Barker in Western Australia.

Grapes & Gallops is the biggest annual event on the Mount Barker Turf Club's calendar attracting punters from around the Great Southern and Perth. This exciting race day features an 8-race program and includes the Mungrup Stud Sprint over 1300 metres.

Grapes & Gallops chairperson Kim Tyrer said the event was a celebration of the region's premium wine, gourmet food, combined with fashion and horse racing.

Racegoers will be able to sample wines from nine Mt Barker producers including Arcadia, Galafrey, Gilberts, West Cape Howe, 3 Drops, Plantagenet Wines, Hawkers Ridge and Chatsfield. These wines will also be the perfect accompaniment to a gala three-course luncheon which this year is proudly sponsored by the Shire of Plantagenet.

“It is a fantastic family event with the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned country race day,” Ms Tyrer said.

A highlight of the day will be the annual fashions on the field with prizes awarded to the best dressed filly and colt. Families will also been catered for with entertainment provided for children.

A range of regional produce will be available including strawberries and cream, yabbies, Bratwurst, stuffed spuds, gourmet pizzas, freshly shucked Albany oysters, local honey and fudge.

“Get dressed up, find a fabulous hat, come along and try a glass of award-winning wine, some delicious gourmet food and enjoy a great day of country horse racing,” she said.

Action on the day starts at noon until 8pm at Frost Park, McDonald Avenue, Mt Barker. Entry is $20 for adults and $10 concession with children under 18 free. While this is a family event it is also a licensed area and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Mungrup Stud is the State’s biggest thoroughbred stud with a large annual draft of well credentialed yearlings offered at the Magic Millions Sale at Belmont in February. Situated south of Mt Barker, Mungrup Stud is owned and managed by Gray and Jan Williamson whose family has a long history of involvement in racing and breeding industry in WA.

The Mount Barker Cooperative Mount Barker Grapes & Gallops event is a joint venture with Mount Barker Turf Club and Mount Barker Wine Producers. Bookings are currently being taken for the luncheon, and table and chairs for the day. Corporate tents are also available. Buses are available between Albany and Mt Barker contact Busy Blue Bus for details on (08) 9846 4757.

For more information go to www.grapesandgallops.com. For bookings and enquiries phone 0481 112 559 or email info@grapesandgallops.com

Media Enquiries: Grapes & Gallops chairperson Kim Tyrer is available for interview on 0418 941 551. High resolution images are available upon request.

On Sunday, January 19, the Mount Barker Co-operative Mt Barker Grapes & Gallops will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Great Southern's richest horse race – the $90,000 Mungrup Sprint.Firmly established as one of the region’s most popular family events, more than 2000 people are expected to enjoy an afternoon of wine, fashion and racing at Frost Park in Mt Barker.Grapes & Gallops is the biggest annual event on the Mount Barker Turf Club's calendar attracting punters from around the Great Southern and Perth. This exciting race day features an 8-race program and includes the Mungrup Stud Sprint over 1300 metres.Grapes & Gallops chairperson Kim Tyrer said the event was a celebration of the region's premium wine, gourmet food, combined with fashion and horse racing.Racegoers will be able to sample wines from nine Mt Barker producers including Arcadia, Galafrey, Gilberts, West Cape Howe, 3 Drops, Plantagenet Wines, Hawkers Ridge and Chatsfield. These wines will also be the perfect accompaniment to a gala three-course luncheon which this year is proudly sponsored by the Shire of Plantagenet.“It is a fantastic family event with the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned country race day,” Ms Tyrer said.A highlight of the day will be the annual fashions on the field with prizes awarded to the best dressed filly and colt. Families will also been catered for with entertainment provided for children.A range of regional produce will be available including strawberries and cream, yabbies, Bratwurst, stuffed spuds, gourmet pizzas, freshly shucked Albany oysters, local honey and fudge.“Get dressed up, find a fabulous hat, come along and try a glass of award-winning wine, some delicious gourmet food and enjoy a great day of country horse racing,” she said.Action on the day starts at noon until 8pm at Frost Park, McDonald Avenue, Mt Barker. Entry is $20 for adults and $10 concession with children under 18 free. While this is a family event it is also a licensed area and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.Mungrup Stud is the State’s biggest thoroughbred stud with a large annual draft of well credentialed yearlings offered at the Magic Millions Sale at Belmont in February. Situated south of Mt Barker, Mungrup Stud is owned and managed by Gray and Jan Williamson whose family has a long history of involvement in racing and breeding industry in WA.The Mount Barker Cooperative Mount Barker Grapes & Gallops event is a joint venture with Mount Barker Turf Club and Mount Barker Wine Producers. Bookings are currently being taken for the luncheon, and table and chairs for the day. Corporate tents are also available. Buses are available between Albany and Mt Barker contact Busy Blue Bus for details on (08) 9846 4757.For more information go to www.grapesandgallops.com. For bookings and enquiries phone 0481 112 559 or email info@grapesandgallops.com. Media Enquiries: Grapes & Gallops chairperson Kim Tyrer is available for interview on 0418 941 551.

WA-based producer of authentic curry pastes and condiments Latasha’s Kitchen has embraced the innovative crowdfunding platform Pozible to achieve their next business goal – publishing a cookbook.

Pozible is a crowdfunding platform and community-building tool for creative projects and ideas that was developed to help people raise funds and realise their aspirations.

With a background in marketing, Latasha’s Kitchen founder Latasha Menon said Pozible was the ideal mechanism to help her realise a long-held dream to produce a cookbook.

"Over the years, a great number of people have asked me to produce a cookbook, and I feel the time is right to turn this into a reality,” Ms Menon said.

“As I have always been guided by my loyal customers, I am asking my supporters to pledge to become involved in the birth of this cookbook through my Pozible Project,” she said.

“I have a great range of rewards on offer, from an autographed first edition copy of the cookbook with name acknowledgement, to a special VIP cooking class for 12 people. A number of milestone incentives will also be announced along the way, to surprise and reward our pledgers for their support and involvement.”

Ms Menon said other higher value rewards on offer would appeal to businesses and corporates looking to support a locally-based creative endeavour.

“By choosing these exclusive options, business owners and their staff will receive autographed copies of the cookbook, public acknowledgement and participation in a private cooking demonstration,” she said.

Ms Menon established her reputation over the 10 years she ran her popular café, and held cooking classes from a studio kitchen in Leederville.

Ms Menon now manufactures a range of take-home curry pastes, sauces and chutneys and sells through her online store, at specialist grocers and butchers, and community markets such as Kyilla in North Perth, Subiaco, Palmyra and Mandurah.

“My vision is that the cookbook will be a keepsake book of traditional family-style recipes. The reality is if we do not secure enough pledges the cookbook will not go ahead – which is why I am reaching out to the general public, as well as to my loyal fan base,” she said.

An exciting range of authentic curry pastes, sauces and chutneys has just been launched by Latasha’s Kitchen.After motivating many over the past 10 years through her delectable cafe food, popular cooking classes and selection of hand-made condiments from her store and studio kitchen in Perth, Latasha Menon has created a range of products so everyone can bring her exceptional flavours to their own table.Latasha Menon is the inspiration behind Latasha’s Kitchen, whose uncompromised passion and knowledge of her craft sparked her desire to help others create their own authentic cuisine.“The Latasha’s Kitchen range of products is dedicated to the art of cooking home-style regional dishes using traditional methods and techniques,” Latasha said.“My products reflect the distinctive traditions of food from generations ago from South Asia and South-east Asia,” she said.“Only the freshest and most authentic ingredients are painstakingly sourced to produce my products at the very highest levels of quality. Our range is also incredibly easy and versatile to use.”The first release of Latasha’s Kitchen products include Homestyle Curry Paste, Rendang Terlagi Lagi Paste, Vindaloo Masala Paste, Zingy Tomato Chutney, Green Coriander Sauce and Date and Tamarind Chutney.The Latasha’s Kitchen take-home range of exotic condiments is produced in small batches under the watchful guidance of Latasha.All Latasha’s Kitchen products are made in Australia from local and imported fresh ingredients and premium herbs and spices. Most of the range is gluten and preservative free and does not contain any artificial fillers or flavour enhancers.“I wish you all delicious hours of cooking and sharing of tables with friends and family with my new range,” Latasha said.These products are available now through the Latasha’s Kitchen website and very soon through specialist grocers, butchers, markets, delis and fishmongers.For more information go to www.latashaskitchen.com.au. Latasha will also be sharing regular updates via her website of recipes, videos and other helpful advice on how to use Latasha’s Kitchen products.Media Enquiries: Latasha Menon is available for interview on 08 9328 8184 or 0407 442 911.

Walking is the best way to see Albany on the South Coast of Western Australia, according to the operators of one of the city’s newest tourism ventures – Albany Walking Holidays.After experiencing the delights of a self-guided walking holiday along the Amalfi coast in Italy, Albany locals Cheryl and David Griffiths wondered if their home base offered anything similar.“After discovering this was a niche needing to be filled, we set about walking and putting Albany Walking Holidays together,” Mrs Griffiths said.“As a result, we have designed self-guided walks for the adventurous leisure walker who seeks to immerse themselves in our stunning and unique South Coast environment and enjoy all that the region has to offer,” she said.“Albany Walking Holidays offer a range of self-guided tour packages from one-day walks to seven-day packages. We offer standard, easy and challenging packages and also a selection of accommodation options from budget to 5-star.”Prices include transport (to and from walks), maps, first aid kit, walking notes, and flora and fauna booklets.According to Mrs Griffiths, self-guided walks provide travellers with freedom, flexibility, independence and the ability to set their own pace.“And perhaps best of all, you don’t have to do any of the work to put it together,” she said.“Now you can enjoy all that the region has to offer including our rugged coastline, spectacular panoramas of oceans, islands and mountains, the gentle meandering Kalgan River, giant karris of the Porongurups, our Anzac tradition, pioneers , local Menang history and more.“In winter you can view the whales as they come to birth in our waters, and in spring be delighted by the vibrant display of our unique wildflowers. Added to this you can enjoy our cafes, shops, tourist attractions and local history.“You will experience a wide variety of terrains on our 10-18km walks from rugged bush tracks and coastal trails, sandy beaches to paved walking pathways.“We can find a walking package that suits you. Customisation of your walking package is available to suit your interests and walking fitness. If you are a local or have your accommodation already organised, contact us for a package price not including accommodation.”For more information visit http://www.walkinginalbany.com.au/ or contact Cheryl Griffiths on 1300 321 607 or mobile 0448 414 153.You can also find Albany Walking Holidays on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/albanywalkingholidaysENDS